Part VI
Barba leaves the office early. By the time Olivia gets home, he's managed to convince Lucy that Noah is safe in his hands and start cooking dinner.
When Olivia walks in at 7:00, she's surprised to find Barba there with Bistec de Pollo sizzling in the skillet and her son on the kitchen counter smashing plantains into tostones- sort of. She smiles- puts down her keys and walks into the kitchen to join them. "Wow, that smells good! Remind me to talk to my babysitter about leaving Noah with strange men before I get home, though."
Barba raises his eyebrows at her. He hands her one of two glasses of wine that sit waiting on the counter. She takes a sip and savors it. It's been a long day and Barba standing in her kitchen taking care of everything is the perfect end.
"On the other hand, I guess you're not so strange." She grins and leans in for a kiss as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Noah looks up from the mess he's making to see them lip locked. Not wanting to be left out- he puts an arm around each of their heads and leans in to 'kiss' them both spreading the chocolate, that Olivia now notices is all over his face, all over theirs. Barba and Olivia disentangle themselves and laugh at him.
Olivia wipes the chocolate off herself with her hand and looks at her son. "Noah, did Raf give you chocolate before dinner?"
Noah's eyes light up and he smiles broadly. Raf leans into him and fake whispers, "Say, Objection, Mami, leading the witness."
Noah looks up at his mom, "Jection, Mama."
Barba laughs out loud and holds up a hand for a high-five, which Noah is happy to reciprocate. "Guess we should start saving for law school." He gives Olivia a giddy smile.
Olivia shakes her head as she retrieves a washcloth from the sink to wipe Noah off, "Unfortunately for you, Counselor, the forensic evidence is indisputable."
"Ah, we'll get it thrown out." Barba turns the chicken over and starts throwing the plantains into a pot to fry. He looks down at his watch. "Shit!" Olivia snaps a look to him. He casts a quick glance to Noah. "Uh, shoot. Forgot his Motrin- was supposed to give it to him 20 minutes ago."
Olivia grabs the Motrin out of the medicine cabinet. She and Noah struggle through another round of medicine administration while Barba cooks. Afterwards, she seems to have more on her than she got into Noah's mouth. Barba gives her an amused grin. Olivia is not amused "Forgot, huh?"
"Better you than me." Olivia throws a towel at him. "Hey! Have you ever tried to clean a silk tie?!" He gestures to the one currently tucked half way into his shirt. Olivia can't help but laugh.
She pulls her gun and badge off of her belt and starts toward her room. "I'm gonna change before dinner." She sticks her head back around the corner to peek in at him. "Hey-" Barba turns and quirks up an eyebrow. "Thank you." He smiles back at her just as she ducks back down the hall.
At the end of dinner Noah is falling asleep in his food. Olivia does her best to wipe him off. "Guess it's time for bed." Barba stands and helps her extract Noah from the highchair. Noah lays his head on Olivia's shoulder- his eyelids fluttering shut.
Barba rubs his hand over his back and plants a kiss on his forehead. "Night, night, amigo." He looks up at Olivia, unsure if he should stay or go, this is usually where their dinners end. He doesn't want to be presumptuous but he doesn't want her thinking he doesn't want to stay.
Luckily, before he gets too far down the rabbit hole- she save's him. "I'll put him to bed, you find a movie on Netflix." Barba just nods. She starts down the hall and he starts clearing dishes. The moment the first dish hits the bottom of the sink, he hears her call from down the hall, "Leave the dishes, Barba, I'll do them in the morning."
Barba smirks and mutters under his breath, "Barba." He can't decide if he likes that or not. He tops off both glasses of wine and heads for the couch.
A few minutes later Olivia sneaks out of Noah's room to find Barba shuttling through the Netflix queue. His feet, clad in purple and blue stripped socks, are up on the coffee table, one arm is draped across the back of the couch, the other hand holds his glass of wine. She takes a moment to take him in.
If anyone had told her three years ago that she'd fall for this sharp tongued prosecutor who's wardrobe was more extensive than half of Manhattan's- she'd have laughed them out of the room. But seeing him lounging comfortably on her couch, she realizes how perfect it is. His wit, his humor, his intelligence, the way he loves Noah- Even when he's driving her crazy, she's ridiculously attracted to him.
She walks around and picks up the glass of wine that he's poured for her as she takes a seat beside him. He glances over at her, "Success?"
She nods, "Let's hope he stays that way. His arm has been waking him up in the middle of the night." She looks over at him- his eyes are still fixed on the TV. Is he nervous? "Thanks for dinner."
"Well, Noah's tostones were what really made it."
Olivia cracks up, "He was a bit overzealous with the smashing of the plaintains."
Barba grins, "Kept him entertained though." He finally looks at her.
She smiles back and then turns to the television. "So? Next episode of House of Cards or movie?"
He's still looking at her. Watching the glow of the television play on her face in the dim living room light. He didn't think he'd ever been this nervous. Rafael Barba didn't get nervous. Why was this so different?
After several moments with no response, Olivia turns back to him, "Barba?"
"I love you, too." It nearly comes out as all one word.
"Sorry?"
"I meant to say it, in my office, I just- froze. And then—"
Olivia shuts him up with her lips on his. He turns into her, deepening the kiss. His hand wanders up her side to her back- pressing her into him. She lets out a whimper as she feels him pressed hard her leg. Her hands snake into his hair- pulling him closer. All the passion of that first kiss is back with a fury- now fueled by what they both know is the next step.
Both are trying desperately to get closer to each other but the awkwardness of their positioning on the couch is getting the best of them. Barba briefly thinks he may have transformed back into his 14 year-old self.
Olivia finally breaks off the kiss when it becomes apparent that the couch isn't the place for this. She stands, her heart racing, and takes his hand, "Come with me."
He's stands still trying to catch his breath, "You sure?"
She lets out a breathless laugh, "You've spent too much time in sex crimes." She gives his hand a tug and he follows her down the hall to the bedroom.
*Only two chapters left. Hoping to update again tonight. For those who don't like M rated material- I'll restrict it to the next chapter if you want to skip it.